§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on legal proceedings against his Department in respect of its division of Milk Marque into three separate processing companies. [137974]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 10 November 2000]Milk Marque and the National Farmers Union started judicial review proceedings last year. Their main argument is that it was unlawful for the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to carry out an investigation under domestic competition law and for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to act on their report. The High Court has referred certain questions to the European Court of Justice for a preliminary ruling. When the ECJ has given its views the proceedings in the High court can continue. This legal process is unlikely to be quick.